Open to Hope Articles
Do you want to read stories of others who have been where you are? Are you looking for bereavement help, and advice? Look no further. We offer over 3,000 articles written by our Open to Hope authors.
SORT BY RELATIONSHIP
Dr. Heidi Speaks About the Divorce Rate among Bereaved Parents
March 16, 2007
I was glad to see that Wayne Loder cited several studies done on behalf of Compassionate Friends showing that the divorce rate among bereaved parents is 12%-16%, far below the national average. Further, I agree with my mom (Dr. Gloria) that grieving parents, do not need to be told that their marriage cannot survive a profound loss. However, I also think it is important to present the other side of this discussion, and to say to those of you that are divorced or are in the process of getting divorced, that in most cases this will not destroy or ruin […]
David McCaig: Healing Through Music
March 8, 2007
David McCaig shares how music has helped him and given him hope and purpose after the loss of his 14-year-old daughter to a brain tumor. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/11/David-McCaig-0308071.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Poem: Time
March 2, 2007
Is Time my friend Or my enemy? Yes, Time has washed away the sharp edges The intensity of the pain And provided some relief But will Time rob me of the images I need to hold on to Will it take the sound of his voice Will it take the feel of his tight hug Will the bright smile fade away Along with the quick laughter That always softened my heart I have a place where he visits Inside my heart and soul Whenever I go there He is waiting And we talk awhile When I move around this altered […]
Cathy Seehuetter: Vehicular Death
March 1, 2007
Cathy Seehuetter shares her story after the loss of her 15-year-old daughter, Nina, who was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2007/03/Cathy_Seehuetter_030107.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Poem: To Tucker, Our Sweetie Boy
February 23, 2007
They say you’re in Heaven To comfort, I guess. Don’t they know that Your presence we miss? In God we take solace Each and every day, But our loss of you hurts us anyway. We only got to enjoy you for a little while. Humor and laughter were definitely your style. Your animals, Buddy, Postulio and Sushi are still here. What they are thinking isn’t quite clear. Our memories of you are never ending. But certainly don’t replace time together we were spending. Remnants of you litter our house. Not a thing has been changed In hopes of your return. […]
Grief: Then and Now
February 14, 2007
Over one hundred years ago, during the Victorian era, death and grief were popular subjects for poems, songs and stories. Grieving was considered a natural and acceptable part of the culture. People in mourning wore black clothing and/or black arm bands, women wore black veils, and it was common to see a black wreath on the door of the home of a bereaved family, announcing publicly that this was a home of sorrow. Bereavement was conspicuous and there were very specific societal customs designed to support people during the mourning process. However, during that same era, no person of breeding […]
Poem: More than You’ll Ever Know
February 12, 2007
A Poem from Kim H to Trevor I miss you more than you’ll ever know The world is not the same without you here Sadness washes over me without a moments notice Your presence can be so clear I wish I could me that Mom again The one who answered every call And laughed at all your stories Who lent the understanding ear I loved being there for you I looked forward to all that lay ahead I wanted the best for you I lost such a good friend I still long to see that bright smile That lit up […]
January 4, 2007: I Have No Intention of Saying Good-Bye: Coping Techniques for the Now Childless – Sandy Fox
January 4, 2007
JANUARY 4, 2007 – I HAVE NO INTENTION OF SAYING GOOD-BYE: COPING TECHNIQUES FOR THE NOW CHILDLESS: SANDY FOX, the bereaved mother of Marcy, her only child who was killed in a car accident 12 years ago.? Her book, I Have No Intention of Saying Good-bye, tells the story of 25 sets of parents and how they moved on with their lives after their loss.? Sandy, a high school teacher for 28 years, has been a journalist and freelance writer her whole life and now enjoys speaking to bereavement groups around the country, trying to help others through their grief […]
Sandy Fox; Coping Techniques for the Now Childless
January 4, 2007
Sandy is the bereaved parent of an only Child, she has authored a book and travels around speaking to groups and helping people cope with their loss. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/10/Sandy-Fox.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
